This report sheds light on a truth that cannot be ignored: the Canadian labour market is not a level playing field. For Black youth and grad uates, the journey to meaningful employment is fraught with barriers—seen and unseen—that hinder their potential and dim their aspirations. These challenges, rooted in systemic inequities, are not just numbers on a page; they are the lived realities of individuals striving to claim their rightful place in the workforce.

The data paints a vivid picture of disparity. Despite their qualifications, Black graduates earn less, and advance slower than their white contemporaries, even in unionized roles with pensions—spaces often viewed as bastions of equity—Black workers face ceilings that prevent them from truly thriving. For young Black Canadians entering the workforce, the weight of these inequities is compounded by declining job vacancies and limited access to growth industries.

Yet, within this challenge lies an undeniable opportunity. With bold action and collaborative effort, we can transform these inequities into stories of resilience and triumph. This report calls on policymakers, businesses, and communities to reimagine the labour market as a space of inclusion and fairness.

The findings within these pages are a rallying cry for change—a reminder that Canada’s prosperity is bound to the progress of all its people. The time to act is now. Together, we can build a labour market where no one is left behi nd, and everyone can thrive.

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